those lashes are ahhh-mazing!
what little boy doesn't love a wagon??
Is it any wonder their boys are so beautiful?!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I Family 2.0 - Castle Pines Family Photographer
This was my second time photographing the I family. I love second (and third) time clients because I love seeing how much the kiddos change and grow! Little man Kade was just a babe when we were together last winter, and he's definitely a full fledged toddler now, full of smiles and wonder and a wee bit of shyness. Kai has transformed from a toddler into a lively little boy, full of energy and a huge vocabulary of words. It was a pleasure spending the morning with them and their (um, yeah, gorgeous!) parents. I love how their true personality's came shining through in the images I captured!
Friday, August 27, 2010
What Inspires Me?
What inspires me?
My boys were the inspiration for me when it came to photography - I wanted a better portrait than what I could get at the mall or whatever, but more than that I wanted something unique that truly represented who my children were at various times in their life. I've always been interested in photography. When I did the backpack thing through Europe (thank you Mama for trusting me and letting me try out my wings) I always sought out portrait galleries and photo exhibits. On my 23rd birthday in London I chose to visit a Robert Maplethorpe exhibit and his work took my breath away. I continued to seek out photography exhibits throughout my travels and well into my years in Seattle as well. Something about the "real-ness" of it has always drawn me in, more so than any other artistic medium.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding we were definitely on a tight budget, as most young couples are when shelling out the dough for such a big event. But no matter what else we may have chosen to skimp on, photography was not an option. We went big. Very big. Our photographer - Jessica Young Photography (now almost exclusively doing commercial photography so no website for me to link to) - were amazing. Young captured every nuance of our day and we treasure these portraits because they are what is the lasting reminder of such a beautiful touching day in our lives. The day we became the Stephens'. I can't look at our album without getting a wee big misty-eyed!
Then comes baby in the baby carriage... This is when I first began experimenting with my simple point and shoot, trying to find a perfectly lit window to capture my newborn son for his birth announcement. I also had the good fortune of having a former colleague-turned-photographer take pictures of our eldest son when he was about 6 months old. His portraits were stunning and and created a lasting memory for us of our son at such a perfect little age. My friend was fairly new to the biz back then but I could see that he was going places. Now, 6 years later, he IS something big, one of the very best photographers in Hawaii -- check out his work at www.derekwongphotography.com. For me that was one of the biggest catylyst for learning to create a better portrait of my children.
When our youngest son was about a year old Shawn surprised me with a crem-de-la-crem camera that knocked my socks off. I was beyond intimidated by it, but I was also determined. At last I felt I had the tools to pursue something that I knew all along I was passionate about. I dove in. I read my manual (yes, you really do have to read those things!). I studied photography via books and online tutorials and photographers I admired. I then carried that camera with me everywhere I went. When I downloaded the images onto my computer I studied every nuance - what worked, what didn't work, what angles and lighting made the image jump off the page, etc. Evntually I started asking friends if I could take their portraits for them to practice, as my own children were growing very weary of the constant lens in their face. Soon friends of friends were asking for me. And soon thereafter crib tales photography was born! It took me completely by suprirse that I could create a business out of somethign I loved. But there you have it. My boutique photography business was born out of inspiration. I use my background in marketing and technology to build the business and market it, and it seems the portraits speak for themsleves.
If you have hired me to take your portraits (and rehired me as is the case with several clients) I thank you for entrusting me to capture the beauty of your children and your families. I'm always honored when someone welcomes me in their family for the afternoon to capture them as they are. I am continually inspired by other photographers, the families I work with, and of course, my own darling boys who are still my favorite subjects to photograph.
So...what inspires you and brings you passion and joy and fulfillment?
My boys were the inspiration for me when it came to photography - I wanted a better portrait than what I could get at the mall or whatever, but more than that I wanted something unique that truly represented who my children were at various times in their life. I've always been interested in photography. When I did the backpack thing through Europe (thank you Mama for trusting me and letting me try out my wings) I always sought out portrait galleries and photo exhibits. On my 23rd birthday in London I chose to visit a Robert Maplethorpe exhibit and his work took my breath away. I continued to seek out photography exhibits throughout my travels and well into my years in Seattle as well. Something about the "real-ness" of it has always drawn me in, more so than any other artistic medium.
When my husband and I were planning our wedding we were definitely on a tight budget, as most young couples are when shelling out the dough for such a big event. But no matter what else we may have chosen to skimp on, photography was not an option. We went big. Very big. Our photographer - Jessica Young Photography (now almost exclusively doing commercial photography so no website for me to link to) - were amazing. Young captured every nuance of our day and we treasure these portraits because they are what is the lasting reminder of such a beautiful touching day in our lives. The day we became the Stephens'. I can't look at our album without getting a wee big misty-eyed!
Then comes baby in the baby carriage... This is when I first began experimenting with my simple point and shoot, trying to find a perfectly lit window to capture my newborn son for his birth announcement. I also had the good fortune of having a former colleague-turned-photographer take pictures of our eldest son when he was about 6 months old. His portraits were stunning and and created a lasting memory for us of our son at such a perfect little age. My friend was fairly new to the biz back then but I could see that he was going places. Now, 6 years later, he IS something big, one of the very best photographers in Hawaii -- check out his work at www.derekwongphotography.com. For me that was one of the biggest catylyst for learning to create a better portrait of my children.
When our youngest son was about a year old Shawn surprised me with a crem-de-la-crem camera that knocked my socks off. I was beyond intimidated by it, but I was also determined. At last I felt I had the tools to pursue something that I knew all along I was passionate about. I dove in. I read my manual (yes, you really do have to read those things!). I studied photography via books and online tutorials and photographers I admired. I then carried that camera with me everywhere I went. When I downloaded the images onto my computer I studied every nuance - what worked, what didn't work, what angles and lighting made the image jump off the page, etc. Evntually I started asking friends if I could take their portraits for them to practice, as my own children were growing very weary of the constant lens in their face. Soon friends of friends were asking for me. And soon thereafter crib tales photography was born! It took me completely by suprirse that I could create a business out of somethign I loved. But there you have it. My boutique photography business was born out of inspiration. I use my background in marketing and technology to build the business and market it, and it seems the portraits speak for themsleves.
If you have hired me to take your portraits (and rehired me as is the case with several clients) I thank you for entrusting me to capture the beauty of your children and your families. I'm always honored when someone welcomes me in their family for the afternoon to capture them as they are. I am continually inspired by other photographers, the families I work with, and of course, my own darling boys who are still my favorite subjects to photograph.
2004 photo of my son by Derek Wong Photography -
An inspiration for what was to come...
So...what inspires you and brings you passion and joy and fulfillment?
Monday, August 23, 2010
Family Reunion - Fort Collins Family Photographer
Last weekend I had the honor of photographing a family reunion / 50th wedding anniversary celebration! It was so much fun capturing this beautiful family. The group of cousins reminded me of hanging out with my own cousins growing up - lots of laughing and chasing and having fun. Everyone was just so happy to be together, and more importantly, to celebrate their parent's golden wedding anniversary. I thank you R family for including me in your celebration and allowing me to capture such a momentous event in all of your lives! I hope to see you all again at the next reunion!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
C Family - Castle Rock Family Photographer
I loved so much about this session. The family is obviously beautiful and happy and full of love (check out that cute little baby bump - little girl is due in November!). Their little man Briggs is curious and sweet and has the most amazingly blue eyes. He is all about the Disney movie "Cars" and refused to give up his Mac truck throughout the entire hour we were together... which was fine by me because let's be honest, I love little boys and their obsessions. He reminded me so much of my first born, and that made me a little weepy as I drove myself home that afternoon. But in a totally good way. Because I love my job, and love that I get to meet wonderful families who are so full of love and happiness. Thank you C family for letting me spend the afternoon with you!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Pike Family Reunion - Monument Family Photographer
Some of my favorite images from a recent family reunion I shot. I know this family personally - my niece and nephew are a part of this family on their Dad's side, so they are, in essence, family to us. So I was honored when they asked me to capture their event for them. It has been seven years since their last reunion, and by the looks of things, they have all missed each other a great deal. They are F.U.N. with a capital F! After the more formal shots - which, let's be honest, were a total blast - they moved on to their family Olympic events including water balloon toss, egg toss, and a cake fight. It was an event not to be soon forgotten.
Thank you so much Pike family for letting me (and my family!) participate in your family gathering!!
See you in 7 more years!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)